Historic Usyk vs Dubois rematch confirmed for Wembley on July 19

Ahead of the first-ever undisputed heavyweight championship bout on British soil, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois were at Wembley Stadium today for media duties.

The two champions came face to face before stepping up preparations for the historic clash on 19 July.

Dubois previously faced Usyk in 2023, losing in nine rounds after a controversial low blow that many believed should have been ruled a knockdown. Now, he has a shot at redemption.

Usyk (left) during face off with Dubois (right) Credit: Queensberry

Promoter Frank Warren told the press: “The low blow is done and dusted. It was not Daniel’s time and the referee, for me, got it wrong.

“He can put that right on the 19th. We can’t change what happened, we can bleat and bitch about it, but look at the record books and it says what it is. It is all about now.”

Last May, Usyk, already a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, beat Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Though still holding the WBC, WBO and WBA titles, the Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt to take a rematch with Fury in December, which he also won.

Meanwhile, Dubois went on to claim the vacant IBF title, knocking out Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September.

Warren, founder of Queensberry Promotions, announced: “It will be a massive night and a historic one for British sport because the undisputed title has never been fought for in the UK. There will be four belts on the line and it is history-making stuff.”

“On 19 July we are going to see history, we are going to see the best fighting the best, the №1 against the №2.” he said. “The two best active heavyweights in the world putting it all on the line and it is going to be something magnificent.”

Dubois and Warren (right) during the press conference. Credit: Queensberry

The 78-year-old further highlighted the historical significance of the bout for Dubois, underlining what’s at stake both personally and nationally: “It is an opportunity for Daniel to etch his name in British sporting history. If he wins this fight he will be the first Brit to hold the four belts and that is a great, great carrot for him to go and get.

“This is a fight against Oleksandr, who is looked at as being the best heavyweight of his generation and he was certainly the best cruiserweight of his generation. He also won a gold medal at the Olympic Games.”

Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, also spoke with optimism about the rematch, praising both the setting and Dubois’ growth since their first meeting: “It is always a pleasure to be back to London with the best boxing audience you can find in the world.

“As they say, wisdom is the fruit of experience and this can be very much related to boxing. You know what, Daniel Dubois had his priceless experience in the first fight and now he is not a kid anymore. Now he is a mature man with the IBF belt around his waist.”

The Usyk camp. Credit: Queensberry

Don Charles, Daniel Dubois’ trainer, addressed Oleksandr Usyk directly during the press event, expressing both respect and frustration over their first encounter: “Me personally, I have a lot of respect for you as a fighter, what you have achieved is remarkable.

“But it disappoints me that you can bring the type of photos you are looking at [pictures of the ‘low blow’ signed by Usyk and Dubois].

“You’ve heard of the Oscars? You should be given one for the acting you did that night, for the performance. You conned the referee, you conned us, you conned the boxing world. I’ve always maintained that and I still do.”

Usyk, unshaken, responded firmly:

“I believe you are jealous. You are right, I deserve an Oscar. Listen, you must teach your fighter to punch clean, but I won the fight with a jab. Enough.

“I don’t think about these people [who say he cheated] because it is just talking. Listen, boxing is my life. A lot of people said ‘you won’t make heavyweight’ or be a four-belt cruiserweight. You know what I say? We’ll see.”

Dubois also reflected on the controversy from their first bout, acknowledging the dispute but making it clear his focus is firmly on the rematch.

“Yeah [I was cheated] but it is in the past now,” he said. “It happened and I get the chance to put that wrong right and clear up the controversy. There is a lot of s**t being talked about right now and I can’t wait to put him to sleep on the night.”

Determined to make a statement at Wembley on July 19, Dubois added: “It is going to be a bloodbath and I will put all the nonsense to rest. I will show I am a man of the future.”